Five managers who could replace Emery at Arsenal including Mourinho, Vieira and Enrique as Spaniard’s sack race odds cut
UNAI EMERY is under increasing pressure at Arsenal after another defeat on Saturday and the queue of people seemingly ready to replace him is getting longer.
The Gunners capitulated in the second half at the King Power stadium as goals from Jamie Vardy and James Maddison gave Leicester a 2-0 win.
And as a result, Emery’s sack race odds have taken yet another hit, according to Ladbrokes.
The Arsenal boss now finds his team eight points off the top four, having won just four games this season while currently on a run of just one win in seven games in all competitions.
Ralph Hassenhuttl remains favourite in the betting at 6/5 for the boot next, with Mauricio Pochettino and Manuel Pellegrini 4/1 and 5/1 shots respectively.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “We’re expecting at least one Premier League manager to get the boot during the international break with so many sides performing below par – and it looks as though Gooners might get their wish with Emery priced so short to be the next boss to leave.”
Ladbrokes latest odds - Premier League sack race
– Ralph Hassenhuttl – 6/5
– Unai Emery – 2/1
– Mauricio Pochettino – 4/1
– Manuel Pellegrini – 5/1
– Marco Silva – 8/1
– Steve Bruce – 8/1
And there are five managers widely touted to be next in charge if Emery leaves.
Jose Mourinho
The Special One is rumoured to be keen on the Arsenal job given his fondness of London and a reported desire to manage in the Premier League again soon.
And only last week, Arsenal were said to be “actively considering” the Portuguese.
Luis Enrique
Ex-Barcelona and Spain boss Enrique was last week linked with replacing Emery in the Emirates hot-seat, with some news outlets claiming the North London side had already been in contact with the 49-year-old.
But conflicting reports also claimed the Spaniard was not interested.
Freddie Ljungberg
Arsenal legend Ljungberg is currently assistant manager – having managed their Under-23 side last season.
And the Athletic’s David Ornstein believes that the Swedish member of the 2003-04 invincibles is highly regarded enough as a coach to take the reigns, at least temporarily, if Emery is discarded.
He said: “Freddie is highly-rated by the players and staff, and the logical feeling is he would take temporary charge if anything happened with Emery.
“He has ‘number one’ ambitions of his own and won’t hang around somewhere for too long if he doesn’t think the opportunity will come.”
Brendan Rodgers
Former Arsenal striker Paul Merson, writing for Sky Sports, recently blasted Emery and reckons Arsenal should “break the bank” to snap up Rodgers on a five-year-deal and let him “transform the club”.
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Patrick Viera
Vieira led Nice to a seventh-placed finish in Ligue 1 in his first season as a manager in European football and is currently in his second term with the French club.
He also admitted to being flattered by the interest and would like to manage Arsenal one day.
Arsene Wenger is even a 16/1 shot for those of the Arsene in brigade still about.
Ladbrokes latest odds - Next permanent Arsenal manager
4/1 – Jose Mourinho
6/1 – Luis Enrique
7/1 – Freddie Ljungberg
8/1 – Mikel Arteta
10/1 – Massimiliano Allegri
12/1 – Brendan Rodgers
12/1 – Patrick Vieira
16/1 – Arsene Wenger
20/1 – Nuno Espirito Santo
25/1 – Eddie Howe
33/1 – Thierry Henry
100/1 – Tony Adams